LIMA 2019: AVIC cooperates with B&R countries in 179 projects.

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) is involved in 179 projects with Belt and Road countries, targeting to boost their air connectivity, according to the state-owned aviation giant.

China's AVIC has partnered Malaysian companies on facilitating local production of the Y-12 transport aircraft (Picture source: Chinese Ministry of Defense)

The projects, worth around 29 billion U.S. dollars, focus on air connectivity and emergency safety, AVIC said.
Cooperation areas between AVIC and its Belt and Road partners include trade of aviation products, related infrastructure construction, and airline network construction and operation.

Major fields of cooperation include: civil aircraft development and sales, services and infrastructure construction, general aviation operation and services, capital operation, and security products and services.
More Belt and Road countries are embracing Chinese aircraft, such as the MA60 series turboprop airplanes, LE500, Y-8 transport aircraft and Y-12 series general planes.
For Malaysia, a joint venture between Malaysian company UA Aerospace and Menteri Besar Kedah Incorporated (MBI Kedah), has secured a partnership with AVIC. With collaboration initially focused on the Y-12, the Malaysian-Chinese partnership will produce the aircraft for global customers.

Work will initially be geared towards meeting requirements in commercial domains but could also incorporate the production of aircraft for coastguard and paramilitary operators in the future. The Y-12 could also meet requirements for maritime surveillance.